South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1887-07-01
AFTER FIVE YEARS.

II suppose was crazy, or shou ldn't
have thought Of the thingl" unused
young Doctor Dorr. Well, few of ms
but have our fits of harmless lunacy ut
times. Let it pass. That little three
ycnr-old lad who cried last night at the
hospital for the moon had to keep on
crying. The moon wasn't to be had.
Why am to get my own way any more
than he had hisg'
D'ctor Dorr had fought his way so far
through life, and in the course of his
hand-to-hand contest with destiny he
had learned to be philosopher.
''But l loved hcrp' was his inward
cry. "There's no getting aside Of that.
loved herr!
And at the same time, little LOIS Yer
ncy, busting the picture frames at home
and polishing off the quaint mahogany
table, was murmuring to herself the same
sweet form of words which will prevail
as long as there arc love and youth and
beauty in the world.
81 love him--I love him!"
While old Major verney, glaring
through his eyeglasses at the little pink
envelope on the library table, found n
husky voice to say:
whats this, Mary Ann, eh7 MY
niece writing lcttersa'
Mary Ann jumped. She stood in
mortal fear of the grim major, who was
said to have killed three men in the
Crimean war, and carried n bullet some
where in the ncighborhood Of his left
lung still.
please, sir, it's a letter Miss. Lois
gave me to post" faltercd she, "but i
amt cleaned myself up yet, and"
Eyes, yes" said the major. "You
are good girl, Mary Ann. Here is a
sixpencc for you. will attend to the
letter."
And Mary Ann responded:
''Yes, please, sir"
Lois dressed herself that night in her
best pin checked silk gown. with pink
ribbon in her hair, that flung an answer
ing signal to the color in her checks. and
sat by the window all the evening. But
no one came.
She made transparent little GRAND
to walk past the hospital next day. By
strange coincidence it was the day of
DR.. DORIS attendance therc--ycs, the
very hour.
He came out, and Lois's silly little
heart began to beat, but he only lifted
his hat with icicle-likc courtesy and
passed on.
Lois stood minute looking after
him, as If she were dazcd, and then and
there the candle of hope went out in her
poor little heart.
IF this is love-" said Lois to herself
cts very disappointing thing, and
and | want no more to do with it. Oh.
dcar--oh, dear, l wish were dead"
Doctor Dorr went on with his work in
life. His sister, hard featured maiden
lady, kept house for him, and there
never lacked button on his shirt. nor
the proper seasoning to his soup.
Lois Verney, too, worked on; lut
she, poor child, was at disadvantage !;
for the old Mir was dead, and Lois
had hard time to keep the proverbial
wolf from the door.
Please, Miss" said Mary Ann, one
breezy April morning, I've brough +
back them painted shells and packets,
and things"
PLAQUES Mary Ann plaques"
mildly corrected Lois.
"And the bookseller, miss, Pleas, he
says there amt no sale for no such. and.
please, he wants the window room for
something else"
VERY well, Mary Ann" said Lois,
with sigh as deep as Avernus.
And please, miss, the GILMAN says he
has orders not TO fill the can until the
bill is paid"
Then VIC must burn candles. Mary
Ann, said Lois, "for we have no money
10 pay bills"
But the grocer, miss, please, he SAYS
he'd rather we'd patronize some other
shop till we've raid something on nc
count"
Very we'll, said Lois lisdessly.
She was no Midas She could not
turn blank paper into money by the
touch Of her fingers.
'And please, miss, what shall I tell
the butcher p persisted Mary Ann. tho
ruthless.
Mary Ann, do 90 awayr walled
Lois. 'lIow do / know There's nv
purse. There is shilling in it, and
that's all I've got in the world. And /
don't see any chance Of earning anything
more. There's some one knocking at
the door Go quick, and sec who il is. "
Mary Ann clattcrcd down stairs II
was Mrs. Castlcton's maid, with book
which her mistress had borrowed OF Mi,
Verney.
And please, missus I'D like to borry
IN